County and city officials met Wednesday to address a parking problem for courthouse employees.

The county currently has 45 visitor parking spots on the east side of the courthouse. For the employees, there are only about 20 spots on the west side of the Western Grocer Building, and those spots will will be closed in a short time when the building is demolished.

Most of employees park their cars in municipal parking lots on the northeast corner of College Street and Newton Avenue and ones at the old armory, and many sometimes use street parking, which is limited to two hours.

The city officials have been concerned about the use of these municipal lots by the county employees.

“I have received a lot of complaints from business owners and customers in those areas saying the parking lots are always full,” Councilor Al Brooks said.

A new judicial center scheme includes 22 parking spaces on the east side of the new building. However, the land belongs to an individual living in Washington state and the county’s effort to acquire the land is stalling.

The county officials believe a new judicial center should be an impetus to resolve the issue through cooperation with the city.

Specifically, the county asked the city to build new parking lots on the northwest corner of College and Newton, and on South Broadway across from the current Law Enforcement Center Building. These parking spaces would provide 96 spots.

City Manager Paul Sparks expressed reservations, citing the cost, although County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen said it may be shared between the city and the county.

County Board Chairman Dave Mullenbach emphasized the county’s commitment to keeping the downtown location of the courthouse, instead of building somewhere else.

“We decided to stay here for the development of the city’s downtown. The county should count on some cooperation from the city in return,” he said.